Guru Deva Rinpoche of Drepung Gomang Monastery

One of the 84 Siddhas’ emanations, the great sage Bundasheri Tulku Guru Deva’s reincarnation as Guru Deva Rinpoche was born in Hanchen Hoshuu of Ordos, Mongolia to create great benefits for the Dharma and all sentient beings.

From his childhood, he was installed to the throne of Hutugtu and lived in Ordos until he was 20 years old. Then he traveled to the Land of Snows and studied in the great Monastic University of Drepung under Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Yongzin Trijang Dorje Chang, Kyabje Yongzin Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche and fully acquired the qualities of the Sutras and Tantras.

When the Dalai Lama and many other ordained and non-ordained people immigrated to India and Nepal, he helped extensively to establish the Palace of the Dalai Lama, the three Great Monastic Universities Sera, Drepung and Gandan as well as many other monasteries, temples and accommodations. A great number of representations of Buddha`s body , speech and mind were established under his guidance.

In 1991, when Buddhism revived in Mongolia, Guru Deva Rinpoche visited Amarbayasgalant, the Monastery of Undur Gegeen, and decided to restore temples, statues, scriptures, accommodations and education for the benefit of the sentient beings.

Since 1992, he has been accomplishing these activities in a vast and complete manner and has giving the restored facilities for monks and the people of Mongolia. In spite of his old age, he continues to accomplish these activities fully, bringing great benefit to many beings.

Guru Deva Rinpoche is known for making many generous offerings and donations to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness’ two tutors and to the great monasteries, Sera, Drepung and Ganden, at a time when Tibetans coming to exile experienced a shortage of everything.

In 1986, he was forced to leave India, because his printing press published a letter questioning the Dalai Lama’s actions regarding the Dorje Shugden ban. Rinpoche donated his house in Drepung Gomang to the monastery. The abbot of the monastery had to persuade a Tibetan mob not to destroy the house. Under the increasing pressure from Tibetans in Nepal, Guru Deva Rinpoche was forced to return to Mongolia – his native country – where he remained isolated from the Tibetan community until his death in 2009.

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Guru Deva Rinpoche, an incarnation of one of the 84 Siddhas, Bundasheri Tulku Guru Deva, was born in Mongolia for the sole purpose of creating “great benefits for the Dharma and all sentient beings”.

He was a highly qualified Lama, having traveled to Tibet at the age of 20 and studied in the great Monastic University of Drepung under great Masters like Kyabje Pabongka Rinpoche, Kyabje Trijang Dorje Chang, Kyabje Ling Rinpoche and Kyabje Gonsar Rinpoche. He had mastered both Tantra and Sutra.

He is known for his significant contributions towards the building of the palace of the Dalai Lama in India as well as the establishing of the three great Monastic Universities – Ganden, Sera and Drepung – in India, after the Dalai lama, other high Lamas and many Tibetans escaped to India with the invasion of Tibet by the Chinese Communists. He also helped to establish many other monasteries and temples as well as accommodation for the refugees in India.

When Buddhism was revived in Mongolia in 1992, he also went there and helped in the restoration of temples, statues and scriptures. In addition, he saw to the restoration of accommodation and facilities for the monks and the people of Mongolia, and also played a role in reviving the education of the monastics. In all these efforts, he worked extensively, untiringly and in a complete manner to benefit sentient beings, right to his old age.

Sadly, this great holy being was forced to leave India and Nepal and retire to Mongolia after 1986, when he protested the ban on Dharmapala Dorje Shugden by the Dalai Lama. He remained, until his death in 2009, isolated from the Tibetan community amongst whom he had lived and shared and spread the Dharma for the benefit of all beings.

Last year I was told a story of how devoted Guru Deva was to H. H. Trijang Rinpoche. Guru Deva was apparently a very hot tempered person but whenever he spoke about Trijang Rinpoche he would soften. He was a loyal student of the previous incarnation of Trijang Rinpoche. Until today it is told that the offering of a car to Trijang Rinpoche is still in the Trijang Rinpoche Ladrang in India.

It always brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear of stories of such fantastic Lamas and their Guru Devotion. And it is utterly infuriating that they are punished and banished for questioning and making a stand for their practice. This Ban must be banished, and not great Lamas Like Guru Deva, so that all their works and pains and sufferings are not in vain.

The greatness of a Guru is in his actions. As with H.E. Guru Deva Rinpoche, we witness how highly attained Masters are able to generate activities to benefit the people with the Dharma. He had built, restored monastery and statues, spread the dharma in Mongolia, help funding of the Sangha and remain strong in his samaya with his Gurus. It is the later that had him questioning the 14th Dalai Lama on the ban on Protector Dorje Shugden and the actions of the Anti-Shugdens. It would seem that those that he had helped and was generous to repaid his kindness with such ungratefulness and forcing him out of what rightly should be his home. It is sad to learn of Lamas and practitioners suffering so much for practising what rightfully they should be able to do freely. Buddha Shakyamuni had never never ever dictated what one could or could not practise and what more by burtality or force.

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.…Instead of turning away people who practise Dorje Shugden, we should be kind to them. Give them logic and wisdom without fear, then in time they give up the ‘wrong’ practice. Actually Shugden practitioners are not doing anything wrong. But hypothetically, if they are, wouldn’t it be more Buddhistic to be accepting? So those who have views against Dorje Shugden should contemplate this. Those practicing Dorje Shugden should forbear with extreme patience, fortitude and keep your commitments. The time will come as predicted that Dorje Shugden’s practice and it’s terrific quick benefits will be embraced by the world and it will be a practice of many beings.